To quickly test Python support after following the installation steps, open the Python Interactive window by pressing Alt+I and entering 2+2. If you don't see the output of 4, recheck your steps.

Tip

The Python workload includes the helpful Cookiecutter extension that provides a graphical user interface to discover templates, input template options, and create projects and files. For details, see Use Cookiecutter.

Note

Python support is not presently available in Visual Studio for Mac, but is available on Mac and Linux through Visual Studio Code. See questions and answers.

Visual Studio 2019 and Visual Studio 2017

Download and run the latest Visual Studio installer. If you have Visual Studio installed already, run the Visual Studio Installer, select the Modify option (see Modify Visual Studio) and go to step 2.

The installer presents you with a list of workloads, which are groups of related options for specific development areas. For Python, select the Python development workload.

Optional: if you're working with data science, also consider the Data science and analytical applications workload. This workload includes support for the Python, R, and F# languages. For more information, see Data science and analytical applications workload.

Note

The Python and Data Science workloads are available only with Visual Studio 2017 version 15.2 and later.

Optional: if you're working with data science, also consider the Data science and analytical applications workload. This workload includes support for the Python and F# languages. For more information, see Data science and analytical applications workload.

On the right side of the installer, chose additional options if desired. Skip this step to accept the default options.

Option

Description

Python distributions

Choose any combination of the available options, such as 32-bit and 64-bit variants of the Python 2, Python 3, Miniconda, Anaconda2, and Anaconda3 distributions that you plan to work with. Each includes the distribution's interpreter, runtime, and libraries. Anaconda, specifically, is an open data science platform that includes a wide range of pre-installed packages. (You can return to the Visual Studio installer at any time to add or remove distributions.) Note: If you've installed a distribution outside of the Visual Studio installer, there's no need to check the equivalent option here. Visual Studio automatically detects existing Python installations. See The Python Environments window. Also, if a newer version of Python is available than what's shown in the installer, you can install that version separately and Visual Studio will detect it.

Cookiecutter template support

Installs the Cookiecutter graphical UI to discover templates, input template options, and create projects and files. See Use the Cookiecutter extension.

Python web support

Installs tools for web development including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript editing support, along with templates for projects using the Bottle, Flask, and Django frameworks. See Python web project templates.

Python IoT support

Supports Windows IoT Core development using Python.

Python native development tools

Installs the C++ compiler and other necessary components to develop native extensions for Python. See Create a C++ extension for Python. Also install the Desktop development with C++ workload for full C++ support.

Choose any combination of the available options, such as 32-bit and 64-bit variants of the Python 2, Python 3, Miniconda, Anaconda2, and Anaconda3 distributions that you plan to work with. Each includes the distribution's interpreter, runtime, and libraries. Anaconda, specifically, is an open data science platform that includes a wide range of pre-installed packages. (You can return to the Visual Studio installer at any time to add or remove distributions.) Note: If you've installed a distribution outside of the Visual Studio installer, there's no need to check the equivalent option here. Visual Studio automatically detects existing Python installations. See The Python Environments window. Also, if a newer version of Python is available than what's shown in the installer, you can install that version separately and Visual Studio will detect it.

Cookiecutter template support

Installs the Cookiecutter graphical UI to discover templates, input template options, and create projects and files. See Use the Cookiecutter extension.

Python web support

Installs tools for web development including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript editing support, along with templates for projects using the Bottle, Flask, and Django frameworks. See Python web project templates.

Python native development tools

Installs the C++ compiler and other necessary components to develop native extensions for Python. See Create a C++ extension for Python. Also install the Desktop development with C++ workload for full C++ support.

After installation, the installer provides options to modify, launch, repair, or uninstall Visual Studio. The Modify button changes to Update when updates to Visual Studio are available for any installed components. (The Modify option is then available on the drop-down menu.) You can also launch Visual Studio and the installer from the Windows Start menu by searching on "Visual Studio".

Troubleshooting

If you encounter problems installing or running Python in Visual Studio, try the following:

Determine whether the same error occurs using the Python CLI, that is, running python.exe from a command prompt.

Install locations

By default, Python support is installed for all users on a computer.

For Visual Studio 2019 and Visual Studio 2017, the Python workload is installed in %ProgramFiles(x86)%\Microsoft Visual Studio\<VS_version>\<VS_edition>Common7\IDE\Extensions\Microsoft\Python where <VS_version> is 2019 or 2017 and <VS_edition> is Community, Professional, or Enterprise.

For Visual Studio 2015 and earlier, installation paths are as follows:

<PTVS_ver> is a version number, such as 2.2, 2.1, 2.0, 1.5, 1.1, or 1.0.

User-specific installations (1.5 and earlier)

Python Tools for Visual Studio 1.5 and earlier allowed installation for the current user only, in which case the installation path is %LocalAppData%\Microsoft\VisualStudio\<VS_ver>\Extensions\Microsoft\Python Tools for Visual Studio\<PTVS_ver> where <VS_ver> and <PTVS_ver> are the same as described above.